Merchandizing hanger

ABSTRACT

A merchandise hanger includes a first hanging portion having a first arm and a second arm. A second hanging portion includes a third arm and a fourth arm. A center portion is attached to the first hanging portion and the second hanging portion. The first hanging portion and the second hanging portion removably attach to merchandise.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The embodiments relate to hangers, and in particular to merchandizing hangers.

2. Description of the Related Art

Packaging of products is important for presenting merchandise, reducing the footprint necessary for displaying merchandise and for storage. Products are typically placed on shelves for display, hung on hooks attached to pegboards or a similar support base or wall, or remain in shipping boxes.

Merchandise that is presented in pairs has additional challenges as the pair may become separated. Additionally, presentation of a pair of goods is important to the sale of the goods as well as reduction of storage footprint and ease of showcasing the products. Usually these pairs of items may be boxed or enclosed in packaging. This type of presentation and display of the merchandise, however, prevents potential buyers from being able to see all aspects of the product or actually touch the product without removing the product from the packaging.

SUMMARY

One embodiment of the invention includes a merchandise hanger comprising a first hanging portion having a first arm and a second arm. A second hanging portion includes a third arm and a fourth arm. A center portion is attached to the first hanging portion and the second hanging portion. The first hanging portion and the second hanging portion removably couple to merchandise.

Another embodiment of the invention includes a system including a merchandise hanger with a first holding portion comprising a first arm and a second arm. A second holding portion comprises a third arm and a fourth arm. A center portion is coupled to the first holding portion and the second holding portion. A display card is coupled to the merchandise hanger.

Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, when taken in conjunction with the drawings, illustrate by way of example the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the Figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of a merchandising hanger according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the merchandising hanger illustrated in FIG. 1 showing an example pair of kneepads and shown with a second hanging portion rotated away from a first hanging portion according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the merchandising hanger illustrated in FIG. 1 showing an example pair of kneepads and shown with a second hanging portion rotated away from a first hanging portion and showing straps of a first kneepad coupled to the first hanging portion according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of the merchandising hanger illustrated in FIG. 1 according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a right side view of a merchandising hanger according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of the merchandising hanger illustrated in FIG. 1 according to one embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a rear view of the merchandising hanger illustrated in FIG. 1 according to one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention and is not meant to limit the inventive concepts claimed herein. Further, particular features described herein can be used in combination with other described features in each of the various possible combinations and permutations. Unless otherwise specifically defined herein, all terms are to be given their broadest possible interpretation including meanings implied from the specification as well as meanings understood by those skilled in the art and/or as defined in dictionaries, treatises, etc.

The description may disclose several preferred embodiments of merchandizing hanger devices, as well as operation and/or component parts thereof. While the following description will be described in terms of merchandizing hangers for clarity and to place the invention in context, it should be kept in mind that the teachings herein may have broad application to all types of systems, devices and applications.

One embodiment of the invention provides a merchandise hanger comprising a first hanging portion having a first arm and a second arm. A second hanging portion includes a third arm and a fourth arm. A center portion is attached to the first hanging portion and the second hanging portion. The first hanging portion and the second hanging portion removably couple to merchandise.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a merchandising hanger 100 according to one embodiment of the invention. Merchandizing hanger 100 includes a first hanging/holding portion 140, a second hanging/holding portion 145 and a center portion 180 (FIG. 2). In one embodiment of the invention, the first hanging portion 140 includes a first arm 110 and a second arm 115, and the second hanging portion 145 includes a third arm 120 and a fourth arm 125.

In one embodiment of the invention the first hanging portion 110 and the second hanging portion 120 are connected by the center portion 180. In one example, the first arm 110 includes a connector portion 111, the second arm 115 includes a connector portion 116, the third arm 120 includes a connector portion 121, and the fourth arm 125 includes a connector portion 126. In one embodiment of the invention, the center portion 180 is coupled with a connecting portion 140 of the first hanging portion, which includes an opening/slit 147 that is configured to connect to a coupling portion 146 and hanging card 130. In one example, the connector portions 111, 116, 121 and 126 form open loops or channels. In another embodiment of the invention, the connector portions 111, 116, 121 and 126 form closed loops or channels. In one example, the connector portions 111, 116, 121 and 126 allow for ease in connecting/attaching the means for strapping 170 of the kneepads 150/151 to the first and second hanging portions 140 and 145.

In one example, the first hanging portion 140 and the second hanging portion 145 are configured to hold a means for strapping 170 of respective kneepads 150/151 of a pair of kneepads. In one embodiment of the invention, the means for strapping may comprise, elastic straps, non-elastic straps, adjustable straps, non-adjustable straps, etc. In one example, the means for strapping 170 may include an attachment button 171 (FIG. 2) on one end and an attachment opening 172 (FIG. 2) on the other end, where the attachment opening 172 is hooked over the attachment button 171 for coupling a kneepad to each respective hanging portion 140/145. In one embodiment of the invention, the connector portion 116 and the connector portion 126 connect to attachment buttons 171 of the means for strapping 170, and the connector portion 111 and the connector portion 121 connect with the center portion 173 (FIG. 2) of the means for strapping 170. As illustrated, the means for strapping 170 of the kneepad 150 attaches to the connector portion 121 to the connector portion 126 in the direction of the arrow 160.

In one embodiment of the invention, the connector portion 111 of the first arm 110 and the connector portion 121 of the third arm 110 each are molded upward and include a tab 410 (FIG. 4) that is configured to fit within a slot 420 (FIG. 4). The fitting of the tab 410 within the slot 420 prevents the center portions 173 (FIG. 2) of the means for strapping 170 from sliding or slipping off of the respective first arm and the third arm 120. For ease of removal of the means for strapping 170, the ends of the connector portion 111 and the connector portion 121 can be pulled away or out to remove the tabs 410 from the slots 420. Also for ease of removal of the means for strapping 170, the ends of the connector portion 116 and the connector portion 126 can be pulled away or out to remove a connected means for strapping 170.

In one embodiment of the invention, the connector portion 116 of the second arm 115 is molded outward (perpendicular) toward the connector 121, and the connector portion 126 of the fourth arm 125 is molded outward (perpendicular) toward the connector 111. In one example, if the means for strapping 170 comprises an adjustable strap, the adjustable strap is initially set in a predetermined length range such that the set length provides for attaching the attachment opening 172 to the attachment button 171 placed within a connector 116/126 with a snug fitting.

In one embodiment of the invention the first and second hanging portions 140/145 include a through hole 190 configured to hold a merchandise tag element associated with kneepads 150/151. In one embodiment of the invention the through holes 190 provide a means for coupling kneepads 150/151 to the merchandising hanger 100 to help prevent easy removal from the merchandising hanger 100 by unclasping of the attachment opening 172 from the attachment button 171 of the means for strapping 170.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the merchandising hanger 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 showing an example pair of kneepads 150/151 attached to the merchandizing hanger 100 and shown with the second hanging portion 145 rotated away from the first hanging portion 140 in the direction of the arrow 220 according to one embodiment of the invention. In one example, the center portion 180 is coupled to the second hanging portion 145 via a formed hinge portion 210. In one example, the hinge portion 220 is formed via removal of material from either the connecting portion of the hanging portion 145, the center portion 180, or both. In another example, the hinge portion 220 is formed via a molding process, heat welding, etc. In another example, known techniques may be used for forming the hinge portion 220. In another embodiment of the invention, an actual hinge may be used to connect the second hanging portion 145 to the center portion 180.

In one embodiment of the invention, the center portion 180 includes an opening 247 that is configured to hold another section of the coupling portion 146, which also connects through an opening (not shown) in the hanging card 130. The coupling portion 146 is connected through the opening 147, the opening 247 and the opening in the hanging card 130 to attach the hanging card to the merchandizing hanger 100.

By using the means for strapping 170 of kneepads 150/151 to attach the kneepads 150/151 to the merchandising hanger 100 it is not necessary to have additional material or attaching elements to connect the kneepads 150/151 to the merchandising hanger 100. Kneepads 150/151 are held in an aesthetic manner so that the complete kneepads 150/151 can be viewed front and back, and the kneepad 150 may be rotated away from kneepad 151 without any portions being hidden. Additionally, the kneepads 150/151 being held by the merchandising hanger 100 can be tried on without damaging to packaging.

In one embodiment of the invention the merchandising hanger 100 is formed via molding methods and is made out of recyclable material, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), etc. In one example, the hanging card 130 and the coupling portion 146 may be made of similar material as the merchandizing hanger 100, paper products, fabric material, etc.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the merchandising hanger 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 showing an example pair of kneepads 150/151 and shown with a second hanging portion 145 rotated away from the first hanging portion 140 showing means for strapping 170 of the kneepad 151 coupled to the connector 111 and the connector 116 in the direction of the arrow 310 according to one embodiment of the invention. As illustrated, the first hanging portion 140 and the second hanging portion 145 are configured in a curved manner to aesthetically display kneepads 150/151, which fit within the respected arch shaped hanging portions 140/145 of the merchandising hanger 100. The means for strapping 170 of the kneepads 150/151 being connected to the connectors 111, 116, 121 and 126 for holding the kneepads 150/151 in a stable configuration for ship packaging (e.g., in boxes) and display by hanging from the display card 130.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of the merchandising hanger 100. FIG. 5 illustrates a right side view of the merchandising hanger 100. As shown, the width of the center portion 145 separates kneepad 150 from kneepad 151. In one example, the width of the center portion 180 ranges from 1.25 in.-4.25 in. In other examples, the width of center portion 180 may be sized as desired. In one example, the kneepads 150 and 151 may be attached to the first hanging portion 140 and the second hanging portion 145 in a back-to-back configuration. In other examples, the kneepads 150/151 may be attached in other configurations, such as front-to-back, front-to-front, etc.

FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of the merchandising hanger 100. FIG. 7 illustrates a rear view of the merchandising hanger 100 according to one embodiment of the invention. As illustrated the merchandising hanger 100 is an efficient and low cost means for displaying kneepads 150/151 than alternative box packaging and loose packaging of pairs of kneepads in boxes, which take up shelf space and do not allow a full view display of the products. Additionally, the kneepads 150/151 are oriented so that a shopper may try on one or both of the kneepads 150/151. That is, a shopper may try on the kneepad 150 without removing kneepad 151. Then the shopper may rotate kneepad 150 away from kneepad 151 so that kneepad 151 may be tried on.

In the description above, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. For example, well-known equivalent components and elements may be substituted in place of those described herein, and similarly, well-known equivalent techniques may be substituted in place of the particular techniques disclosed. In other instances, well-known structures and techniques have not been shown in detail to avoid obscuring the understanding of this description.

Reference in the specification to “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “some embodiments,” or “other embodiments” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments. The various appearances of “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” or “some embodiments” are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiments. If the specification states a component, feature, structure, or characteristic “may”, “might”, or “could” be included, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included. If the specification or claim refers to “a” or “an” element, that does not mean there is only one of the element. If the specification or claims refer to “an additional” element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element.

While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that this invention not be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A merchandise hanger comprising: a first hanging portion including a first arm and a second arm; a second hanging portion including a third arm and a fourth arm; and a center portion coupled to the first hanging portion and the second hanging portion; wherein the first hanging portion and the second hanging portion removably couple to merchandise.
 2. The merchandise hanger of claim 1, wherein the center portion further including an attachment portion for coupling to a hanging display device.
 3. The merchandise hanger of claim 2, wherein the second hanging portion is coupled to the center portion via a hinge portion.
 4. The merchandise hanger of claim 3, wherein the first arm includes a first tab that fits within a first slot, and the fourth arm includes a second tab configured to fit within a second slot.
 5. The merchandise hanger of claim 3, wherein the first arm comprises a first loop portion, the second arm comprises a second loop portion, the third arm comprises a third loop portion and the fourth arm comprises a fourth loop portion.
 6. The merchandise hanger of claim 5, wherein the second loop is oriented perpendicular to the third loop, and the fourth loop is oriented perpendicular to the first loop.
 7. The merchandise hanger of claim 1, wherein the center portion includes an opening.
 8. The merchandise hanger of claim 6, wherein the first hanging portion includes an opening.
 9. The merchandise hanger of claim 8, wherein a coupling portion attaches the first hanging portion with the center portion.
 10. The merchandise hanger of claim 1, wherein the first arm and the second arm are each configured to couple to a means for strapping of a first product.
 11. The merchandise hanger of claim 10, wherein the third arm and the fourth arm are each configured to couple to a means for strapping of a second product.
 12. The merchandise hanger of claim 11, wherein the first product is a first kneepad and the second product is a second kneepad.
 13. The merchandise hanger of claim 11, wherein the center portion separates the first product from the second product.
 14. The merchandise hanger of claim 13, wherein the second hanging portion rotates the second product away from the first product via the hinge portion.
 15. The merchandise hanger of claim 1, wherein the merchandise hanger is molded from recyclable material.
 16. A system comprising: a merchandise hanger including: a first holding portion including a first arm and a second arm; a second holding portion including a third arm and a fourth arm; and a center portion coupled to the first holding portion and the second holding portion; and a display card coupled to the merchandise hanger.
 17. The system of claim 16, further comprising: a first kneepad coupled to the first holding portion; and a second kneepad coupled to the second holding portion, wherein the first kneepad is coupled to the first arm and the second arm, and the second kneepad is coupled to the third arm and the fourth arm.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the center portion further including an attachment portion for coupling to the display card.
 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the second holding portion is coupled to the center portion via a hinge portion.
 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the first arm comprises a first loop portion, the second arm comprises a second loop portion, the third arm comprises a third loop portion and the fourth arm comprises a fourth loop portion.
 21. The system of claim 20, wherein the second loop is oriented perpendicular to the third loop, and the fourth loop is oriented perpendicular to the first loop.
 22. The system of claim 17, wherein the first arm and the second arm are each configured to couple to a strap of the first kneepad, and the third arm and the fourth arm are each configured to couple to a strap of the second kneepad.
 23. The system of claim 19, wherein the center portion separates the first kneepad from the second kneepad.
 24. The system of claim 23, wherein the second holding portion rotates the first kneepad away from the second kneepad via the hinge portion. 